Spring 2026
Infrastructuring
Thresholds
Taught by Prof. Dr. Markus Miessen, Dr. César Reyes Nájera, Gustav Nielsen and Dr. Ena Kukic
A.S. Jeunesse d'Esch. Séverine Malaud
The Design Studio Infrastructuring Thresholds is grounded
in the theoretical and methodological premises of
“Cultures of Assembly” and “The Esch Clinics” (Miessen,
Reyes Nájera), framing urbanism as a relational, civic,
and care-based practice rather than a purely formal
or technical exercise. This studio critically contributes
to the Rout Lëns neighbourhood development in Esch-
sur-Alzette, promoted by Luxembourg-based developer
IKO Real Estate, with a specific focus on how new urban
developments can connect meaningfully with existing
urban, social, and institutional fabrics.
The studio positions urban design as a process
of assembly: assembling neighbours, institutions,
infrastructures, ecologies, and social dynamics. Students
are encouraged to work with a level of uncertainty
approached through civic negotiation. They will develop
spatial proposals that operate on existing urban forms
and relations anticipating how future physical and social
dynamics will impact the pre-existing. This approach
aligns with contemporary debates on non-coercive
influence, participation, and care in urban governance.
Teaching team:
Prof. Dr. Markus Miessen
Dr. César Reyes Najera
Gustav Kjær Vad Nielsen
Dr. Ena Kuki?
Design Studio students:
Lamis Benkhalef, Célia Marie-Louise Bergamo, Adélie Lucie Boileau, Luciane, Laiz Braga, Louise Claire Daniel, Lisa Desonniaux, Ararat Ghambaryan, Fabienne Groß, Jana Hajian Hosseinabadi, Denis Haxhnikaj, Mohammad Saleh Imen, Loïc Spiess, Nicholas Taylor Lindner, Ghayad Muhandes, Duygu Polatkan, Nima Rezaei Kheirkhah, Felix Schmiz, Zahra Solbi, Giang Thai, Muhammad Uzair, Amir Hossein Vatanara
Collaborators:
Moritz Ahlert (Kiosk of Solidarity), Matylda Krzykowski & Felix Ganzer, Josep Maria Montaner, Dubvravka Sekulic, Eleni Katrini, Finn Williams, Gabu Heindl, Claudia Chwalisz, Oana Bogdan, Olaf Grawert
City partners:
Municipality City of Esch
Readings:
Silvia Federici, Christian Pagh, Thomas Cook, Aruna D'Souza, Matthew Gandy
